US arms package to 'Israel' 'obscene, wrong on many levels': Officials
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US lawmakers have slammed the government's decision to approve a new multi-billion dollar arms package to "Israel".
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Israeli soldiers from the artillery unit store tank shells in a staging area at the Gaza border in southern occupied Palestine, Monday, Jan. 1, 2024 (AP)
On Friday, the Washington Post revealed that the United States had authorized a new multi-billion dollar arms package to "Israel", including over 1,800 2000-pound bombs and 25 F-35 fighter jets, despite international calls to halt all arms sales to the occupation.
American lawmakers, such as Sen. Bernie Sanders and Jeff Merkley, slammed the move as 'obscene' and 'wrong on every level', and called out "Israel's" hypocrisy.
Meanwhile, a White House official, said the United States has continued to support "Israel's" right to defend itself, adding that conditioning aid has not been a US policy.
This comes amid the Americans' opposition to the Israeli plan to invade Rafah, where over one million Palestinians, including displaced refugees, have been staying.
Vice President Kamala Harris said that if Netanyahu carried out a military operation on Rafah, severe consequences from the United States' side would follow.
However, the newly approved and massive military package might have just facilitated the invasion.
Read more: The US isn't really trying to stop 'Israel' attacking Rafah
Rafah invasion to go unpunished
Despite criticism and opposition, US President Joe Biden's administration does not intend to punish the Israeli occupation in the event of a ground invasion into the southern Gaza city of Rafah that neglects civilian safety, Politico reported citing three US officials.
According to the US officials who spoke on condition of anonymity, "no reprimand plans are in the works, meaning Israeli forces could enter the city and harm civilians without facing American consequences."
US President Joe Biden has previously called for the evacuation of Palestinians from Rafah ahead of the invasion, but it was recently revealed that his administration has lost trust in Netanyahu's ability to carry out the "complex operation".
Read more: Netanyahu's defiance challenges, exposes power of US under Biden
